What would be most reassuring is if Alissa landed all of her jumps all the time. Michelle Kwan did that, almost. She went on tour every year with SOI, did a four triple program, and hit them all almost every night. Michelle's official practices were performances. Even in a "so-so" practice, she rarely fell.

If Alissa had power over her falls she would not fall.

Michelle never skated with SOI... she was the star of Champions on Ice.

What would be most reassuring is if Alissa landed all of her jumps all the time. Michelle Kwan did that, almost. She went on tour every year with SOI, did a four triple program, and hit them all almost every night. Michelle's official practices were performances. Even in a "so-so" practice, she rarely fell.

If Alissa had power over her falls she would not fall.

Show lighting is much more difficult to deal with.

Which is why it is so impressive when Plushenko or Bradley hits a quad in show lighting.

Michelle's practices were amazing. I recall one practice of hers at one Nationals or Worlds in Washington, I don't remember which. She did a runthough of her long--and then a runthrough of her short, both without visible error. She got a standing ovation from the people in the stands, something I've never seen in a practice.

Michelle's practices were amazing. I recall one practice of hers at one Nationals or Worlds in Washington, I don't remember which. She did a runthough of her long--and then a runthrough of her short, both without visible error. She got a standing ovation from the people in the stands, something I've never seen in a practice.

I'm so jealous you got to see a practice. I saw her skate live just once, and I was way up in the nosebleed section of the arena. Thanks for the story!

no, It dosen't matter if she can go out at Worlds and throw down another clean skate. But seriously, why do skaters nowadys have so much trouble with exhibitions? The program was beautiful and would have been a true iconic moment if she not messed up everyone of her jumps. I understand that spotlights are hard to jump in but Alissa is a pro at this, she toured with SOI and has been competing at this level for a long time.

no, It dosen't matter if she can go out at Worlds and throw down another clean skate. But seriously, why do skaters nowadys have so much trouble with exhibitions? The program was beautiful and would have been a true iconic moment if she not messed up everyone of her jumps. I understand that spotlights are hard to jump in but Alissa is a pro at this, she toured with SOI and has been competing at this level for a long time.

I guess Galas right after a tough competition might be a little difficult. You're tired and all.

But still. As everyone has pointed out, it's hard to imagine Michelle falling all over the place like that at an exhibition. Or Rachael for that matter. Even Mirai.
I remember that Yuna's exhibition after the Olympics had one or two popped jumps. But that's different from falling twice.

Alissa did do a nice exhibition after winning the GPF. I don't know what happened this time. No reason to panic but not the greatest send off for our national champ. :sheesh:

Maybe Alissa should have a no-jump exhibition number. Kinda like this one

In the gala, it didn't count, and she slipped. Write it off as a bad practice, it happens to all.

I actually think the real issue is that she doesn't have the technique adjustments that she learned under her new coaches down a 100%. That is, she still has to follow a set of steps to get the jumps right, but once she stops focusing on these steps, the jumps come out wrong. Hopefully at some point, the technique she uses in competition will become second nature to her. (I am talking about the whole muscle memory thing.)

I actually think the real issue is that she doesn't have the technique adjustments that she learned under her new coaches down a 100%. That is, she still has to follow a set of steps to get the jumps right, but once she stops focusing on these steps, the jumps come out wrong. Hopefully at some point, the technique she uses in competition will become second nature to her. (I am talking about the whole muscle memory thing.)